The Chronicles of Lady Véritas: Berlin-Brandenburg Airport: The tragicomedy of the most expensive project management failure in history!

My dear distinguished readers,

If there’s one field that rivals the greatest comedies with twists, turns, and hearty laughs, it’s that of large-scale projects. Ah, the scandals, overruns, and monumental errors! And who better than me, your devoted Lady Whistledown of the project management world, to narrate these delightful anecdotes? Brace yourselves, as we dive into the whirlwind saga of Berlin-Brandenburg Airport (BER). A true masterpiece in the art of project management joke.

 

Act 1: Poor Initial Planning

From the moment the curtain rises, the tone is set. Take the fire safety systems, for example, which were so poorly designed they blew smoke into the halls instead of extracting it. Imagine a firefighter trying to extinguish a fire with a flamethrower! Quite the scene, isn’t it?

Avoiding such a debacle would have required meticulous planning from the outset. Hire fire safety experts to prevent your system from becoming a giant smoke blower. And for the adventurous, why not test your plans with simulations? Less chance of setting the house ablaze, more chance of success.

Act 2: Frequent Changes in Requirements

Our dear decision-makers seemed to change their minds more often than a child changes outfits for school. Every new fire safety requirement led to delays and cost overruns. Engineers, like clumsy tango dancers, struggled to keep up with the rhythm.

It’s crucial to stabilize requirements in the project’s early phases. Think of it as a recipe: too many changes, and your soufflé collapses. Stay on course and avoid technical mood swings.

Act 3: Coordination and Communication Issues

Ah, coordination! A chaotic ballet where every architect, engineer, and subcontractor played their own tune. It was like an orchestra where every musician decided to play a different piece. Misunderstandings and execution errors multiplied, much to our amusement.

Implementing an effective communication platform is key. Think of it as a masked ball where everyone wears headphones to avoid stepping on each other’s toes. Use modern tools, hold regular meetings, and document everything as if you were writing the memoirs of this Broadway-worthy project.

Act 4: Ineffective Subcontractor Management

Hiring numerous subcontractors without proper supervision? A brilliant idea, akin to running a daycare without caretakers! Delays and inconsistent work quality were inevitable. One wonders if anyone actually had a plan or if everyone was improvising.

Rigorous subcontractor management involves careful selection, clear contracts, and continuous oversight. Treat your subcontractors like dinner party guests: choose them well, keep a discreet eye on them, and ensure they follow house rules. If you lack the resources to manage them effectively, consider hiring a well-oiled general contractor to do the job.

Act 5: Lack of Leadership and Decision-Making

The project changed leaders more often than a cabaret show changes costumes. Each new leader brought new ideas but rarely solutions. Every decision became a circus act, where no one knew who would catch the next trapeze.

To avoid leadership problems, appoint a competent project manager from the start and support them like a rising star. Stability enables quick and coherent decisions. Provide leadership and management training; they’ll do better than in a juggling act.

Act 6: Complex Technical Issues

Technical systems, especially fire safety and electrical installations, were insoluble puzzles. Imagine assembling an IKEA piece without instructions and missing parts. Technical errors delayed the necessary certifications, making the airport’s opening as likely as pigs flying.

To manage these complex technical problems, form a team of dedicated specialists ready to solve the most challenging riddles. Think Sherlock Holmes and his trusty Watson chasing technical errors. Adopt rigorous quality management practices and regularly audit systems to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Act 7: Financial Overruns

The initial budget of €2.5 billion ballooned to over €7 billion. Cost overruns were so frequent they could have inspired a TV series titled “Overruns and Overcharges.” Each episode would feature a new financial surprise, like a poisoned gift.

To control costs, adopt a realistic budget and reassess it regularly. Use earned value management (EVM) techniques like a lie detector for your finances. And don’t forget to include contingency reserves—it’s like keeping an umbrella in your bag: always useful for unexpected downpours.

Act 8: Quality Control Failures

Inspections uncovered construction defects in every corner of the airport, necessitating costly repairs and causing further delays. It was like discovering ticking time bombs everywhere. Repairs were inevitable, as were astronomical bills.

For rigorous quality control, establish clear standards from the start. Imagine a beauty contest where every flaw is ruthlessly scored. Regular inspections and compliance testing by independent experts will save you from many headaches and delays.

Epilogue: Opening Amid a Pandemic

After years of twists, laughs, and tears, the airport finally opened... during a pandemic. Passengers were scarce, as were flights. A grand opening for an airport that cost billions but ultimately taught everyone a valuable lesson: the art of project management is indeed a spectacle!

Flexibility and responsiveness to unforeseen events, like a pandemic, are essential project management skills. Prepare contingency plans like magicians prepare their tricks: always ready for the unexpected. Transparent and regular communication with stakeholders is also crucial for navigating these turbulent waters.

And there you have it, my dear readers, armed with these solutions, you’re better equipped to transform any project tragedy into a comedy of success. Remember, rigorous planning, effective communication, meticulous management, and stable leadership are the keys to avoiding the pitfalls faced by our dear protagonists at Berlin-Brandenburg Airport.

Yours devotedly,

𝓛𝓪𝓭𝔂 𝓥𝓮́𝓻𝓲𝓽𝓪𝓼

References:

1. Photo credit: Guenter Wicker/Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg Gmb
2. Construction of Berlin Brandenburg Airport - Wikipedia
3. Berlin airport opens 10 years late and three times over budget | Euronews
4. Berlin's new airport: A story of failure and embarrassment – DW – 10/31/2020

See also: The Chronicles of Lady Veritas: The secrets and missteps of the Theater of project management